The American presidential election (72)
The second of the four debates between the US presidential and vice-presidential candidates – the only one between the No 2s on the slate – was held at 2 am British time, so we recorded it from CNN and watched it over breakfast this morning. I found it even more riveting than the first debate between Barack Obama and John McCain, mainly because it was a livelier affair with both Joe Biden and Sarah Palin giving really spirited responses.
Palin exceeded expectations and did really well. She avoided answering questions she didn’t like and kept returning to her comfort zone of energy policy, but she had memorised her talking points very effectively and spoke fluently. Biden was the more assured and confident and altogether more authoritative. I reckon that on points he won.
Either way, no candidate made a gaff or gave a truly memorable quote so, as the Americans put it, this debate was no game changer. Since Obama is currently in the lead in the polls, that really means that the contest was a success for him.
Over the next few weeks, Palin (and Biden) will have many less scripted moments when they may yet damage their causes but, for now, it’s on to the second debate between Obama and McCain.